Working for the first time with Coco Martin as director in “Ang Panday” is a welcome experience for Jake Cuenca.

Jake Cuenca

“I love him as a director. Parang lahat naman ng artista, we all wish to have an actor’s director and Coco Martin is an actor’s director. Naiintindihan niya kung ano ang pinagdadaanan ng artista in a scene-to-scene basis. Not a lot of current directors know that. Hindi ka niya ilalagay sa alanganin. In this movie he just let me play. He trusts me so much na makakapagbigay ako ng performance na kakaiba and he gave it to me. I’m so happy,” Jake said after the screening of the movie at Trinoma.

Playing iconic villain Lizardo to Coco’s Flavio was something Jake was just too happy to essay.

“It’s my most favorite role ever,” he declared. “In my long showbiz career, my favorite role that I’ve ever done in my life is this role. Super pinaglaruan ko ang role ko.”

He recalled getting the offer.

“The day na sinabi nila na ako ang Lizardo, I didn’t think twice (in accepting it). Sabi ko, ‘Sino director?’ ‘Coco, first film niya.’ ‘Wow. Perfect!’ I feel blessed to work with him in his first movie as a director. Tutal nagsimula din naman kami together. We were there from the beginning. I’m so happy to have been here for that.”
Playing antagonist had Jake almost shedding a tear in one of their fight scenes.

“It was three long, long six to four a.m., five a.m. days. It’s a long, long scene but then honestly, when you see it, it’s amazing. It’s so good. First time ko nakita na may effects. Sabi ko, ‘Oh my God. I can’t believe I was part of that scene.’”

“I will study (directing) first. Sometimes ’yung mga tao they’re convincing me to direct na. This is my thing lang like acting, my confidence comes from the fact that I studied (acting). I am educated when it comes to acting. So when it comes to directing, on the day that I’d do it, gusto ko at par ang directing ko with my acting. So, I want to study din.”

Describing 2017 as “amazing,” Jake rattles of the reasons he said so.

“It’s a great year. It would be better if they give me an award, you know. Eventually, let’s see but for me 2017 is really amazing. But even amazing, I had some ups and downs. But for me, project-wise, lahat ng trabahong nakuha ko was just amazing.

“The soap is doing well (‘Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin’). This movie (“Ang Panday”) is so good. And then the triathlon is keeping me just right. I’ve nothing to complain about this year. Wala akong mairereklamo.”